When Amber Endres opened Fieldcrest Market and Greenhouse in August, she was hoping she could turn it into a year-round out.

Endres hosted a fall open house with a DIY porch pot class and at the time, she was hoping to have enough interest to do another one in winter. She was pleasantly surprised in the amount interested in the events.

The winter open house was scheduled for Dec. 1, but like many other events that weekend, it had to be rescheduled due to the snow storm. Not having an indoor space Endres had booked the Bloomfield Community Center for the only other date open, Dec. 7.

"I think it was a little slow, but considering the postponement due to the storm, and it being on a Friday, we still had the majority of those signed up for the class able to attend," Endres said.

The open house consisted of the DIY porch pot class as well as pre made porch pots, succulents, “Charlie Brown trees,” ornaments, signs and many goods made by local producers. Items such as sweet corn leaf tea, spices and seasonings, sauces and spreads, even candies all made right here in Nebraska made their debut at the open house.

Endres had many people participate in the porch pot class and it was enjoyed by everyone. A variety of pots were provided or could be brought in to fill.

She had previously cut greenery, twigs and birch and loaded them into a trailer, where customers could then pick out exactly what they wanted in their pots. Participants also learned how to make a big, beautiful bow and pickbetween some ller such as berries and pinecones to add some flair to their pots.

Endres is careful to introduce new, fun things to the community without taking anything away from businesses already here. Christmas wreaths were something she chose not to pursue because she does not wish to compete. She also keeps a close eye on what others are doing so she can bring different things to the table.

She hopes to keep introducing new events such as painting or craft classes during the colder months. Fieldcrest Market and Greenhouse facebook page will post any upcoming events.

Endres plans to possibly do a spring open house. Her busy season will pick up in mid April when theshe can get plants in the greenhouse. Until then, Endres can be found this Saturday at the Santa Day Craft Fair at the school from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more photos of the event and keep up with upcoming events, visit: ​https://www.facebook.com/fieldcrestmarket/?ref=br_tf&epa=SEARCH_BOX

The Bloomfield One Act team made its first state appearance in the Class D1 State Play Production Championships in Norfolk on Wednesday afternoon. They performed "Conflict," under the direction of Lee Ann Runyon.

On Thursday, Nov. 29, many met at the Bloomfield Post Office to see Shirley Cunningham formally installed into the Bloomfield Post office.Cunningham started as a clerk in Bloomfield and held the position for 12 years from 1992 to 2005. From there, she became the postmaster of Fordice and stayed there for three years. After Fordice, she became the postmaster in Crofton for 10 years.“Feels like coming home,” Cunningham said.The friendly, light hearted swearing in of Cunningham was filled with friends and co-workers past and present.The Manager of Post Office Operations, or area manager, read one of the Post Offices unofficial slogans aloud. “Messenger of sympathy and love, servant of parted friends, counselor of the lonely, bond of the scattered family,enlarger of the common life, carrier of news and knowledge, instrument of trade and industry, promoter of mutual acquaintance of peace and goodwill among men and nations,” she said.The slogan really translates what anyone working in the postal service does on a day to day basis.Cunningham put her hand on the Bible as she swore to handle the mail with care, to conduct herself in the highest possible manner, and keep the integrity of the office and the postal service as a whole intact.

A typical Christmas tree is covered with ornaments, the more the better. This special tree, however, breaks all the rules. The more bare this tree gets, the happier everyone becomes.The “Tree of Love” is a collaboration between the Bloomfield’s assisted living and nursing homes as well as the bakery. This tree adorns ornaments with a number and a wishlist attached. Each number is paired with someone living at one of these homes. The Bloomfield Bakery has been home to the “Tree of Love” for about five years now. When owners, Pam and Deland Reynolds, took over the bakery, they wanted to get involved in Toys For Tots.There are many programs in place that focus on giving presents to children through the county such as the Giving Tree at St. Marks Lutheran Church. According to Pam Reynolds, she felt there was some overlap and both her and her husband wanted to help another cause.Reynolds believes the tree originated at the Quickstop. When it closed, the tree went to Tier One Bank. The Reynolds took the responsibility of the tree after the bank closed. They were extremely happy to be able to help the folks from the nursing home, who maybe don’t have family left in town or are just in need of some things.The tags have suggestions for each person ranging from fun little things like a book or hard candy to the necessities like socks and sweatshirts.“A popular suggestion for the ladies is a hairdresser gift certificate to get their hair done,” Reynolds said.Good Samaritan takes the time to ask the residents what they are in need of and provides the lists and then the bakery makes the ornaments that adorn the tree. Once someone takes a tag they are asked to leave contact information. Once they purchase a gift they may bring the gift back to the bakery.“A couple people asked about the tree last week, before we had it set up,” Reynolds said. Bakery visitors were inquiring about the tree a week before it was set up and showing interest. She noted how this is a good sign.“Pretty much every year all the tags are gone,” she said.Youth groups are the largest contributor in taking the ornaments and providing gifts but there are many donors in the community.“Someone came from Michael Foods one year and took a bunch of them,” Reynolds said.According to her, she hung over 40 ornaments on the tree meaning there are over 40 numbers on the tree to be taken.For anyone interested in helping give a gift, the ornaments are now available displayed on the tree at the Bakery. Grab a tag with a wishlist, leave your name and bring a gift back to the bakery by Dec. 18.When all the gifts make their way back to the bakery and get delivered to Good Sam, they get to celebrate with Santa Day. Santa visits to hand out all the gifts received.​

December definitely made an appearance this year, bringing snow with it. This year's first big snow fall dropped a large amount of snow all over Knox County, and it may very well be to be here to stay.

The storm was predicted to drop 8-12" of snow and was very accurate, with most of the Knox County communities receiving an average of 9 inches according to the National Weather Service.

The snow couldn't keep everyone inside. Once the snow was done falling, the sound of shovels and snow blowers were heard all around town.​Children rushed outside, bundled up from head to toe, to build forts and throw snow around.

The “Tree of Love” is a collaboration between the Bloomfield assisted living and nursing homes as well as the bakery. This tree adorns ornaments with a number and a wishlist attached. Each number is paired with someone living at one of these homes. For anyone interested in helping give an anonymous gift, the ornaments are now available displayed on the tree at the Bakery. Grab a tag with a wishlist, leave your name and bring a gift back to the bakery by Dec. 18.​

Central Valley Ag (CVA) awards three facilities with the All-In Safety Platinum award, the highest level of achievement within CVA’s Safety Program. Fullerton and Bloomfield in Nebraska and Hinton Feed in Iowa are the three CVA locations that have earned this prestigious award.“Many CVA locations have shown great progress in the All-In safety program, but three have set themselves apart from the group by consistently achieving 100% in their internal audits,” said Brad Bousquet, CVA VP Safety & Compliance. “It takes 100%, All-In dedication from each person at a location to reach this goal. A well-deserved congratulations to Fullerton, Bloomfield and Hinton Feed.”The internal audit program, CVA All-In, was implemented in 2015 to help the CVA safety team coach locations towards CVA’s ultimate goal of having zero workplace accidents. The purpose of the All-In audit program is to provide a roadmap and tools for preventing workplace injuries and improving safety overall.Twice a year, members of the CVA safety team conduct an internal audit at each facility. The four key elements of the All-In audit include: assessing employee knowledge of safety programs, evaluating facilities for workplace hazards, evaluating proper implementation of safety programs, and ensuring managers and employees are fully engaged in safety.“We still have work to do, but we see our safety programs and safety culture strengthen with each round of All-In audits,” said Bousquet.In addition to the three Platinum awards, 53 CVA facilities received All-In Gold award. A score of 95% or higher on all 2018 audits are required to achieve the All-In Gold award.“People is a core value for CVA and we are committed to providing an environment that is safe and fosters personal growth and development,” said Bousquet. “At the end of the day nothing else matters but their safety, and knowing our people go home safe at the end of every day.”

This week, the Bloomfield Community Center is home to the community tree decorating sponsored by the Jessen-Meirose V.F.W.

Many trees have sprouted up inside the community center already but there is room for many more.The Little Bees Daycare stopped in on Tuesday to decorate their tree and help Emily Lauck decorate her special tree.

Lauck sets up a special tree dedicated to Campassion International. This organization helps pair sponsors to children in need. As the daycare children hung up pictures of the children in need of sponsors, Lauck explained how she sponsors a child through Compassion International.

"His name is Todsapon," she told the kids.

The daycare children were intrigued by his name and asked where his picture was hanging on the tree.

"His picture isn't on the tree because he already has a sponsor. The children on the tree are still in need of sponsors," Lauck explained.

Lauck and her little bees hope the community will visit their trees and leave donated non parishable items below them. If interested in sponsoring a child, visit www.compassion.com​The trees will be set up in the community center through the end of the year for public viewing. There is still room for trees. Decorating can be done anytime between now and Nov. 30.